iQoo Z6 Lite 5G: Affordable Innovation in the Budget Smartphone Arena

The launch of 5G is imminent in India, and smartphone companies are now pivoting to emphasize more affordable 5G devices. The Redmi 11 Prime 5G (Initial impressions) was one of the latest budget 5G smartphones introduced in India. Other manufacturers like Realme, Poco, and Motorola have also released 5G smartphones priced around Rs. 15,000. iQoo is joining this market segment with its most economical 5G model, the Z6 Lite 5G.

The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G is the entry-level model of the Z6 series in India, available in two RAM and storage configurations. The base version, featuring 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, is priced at Rs 13,999, while the version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage costs Rs 15,499.

Although the retail packaging is the same size as that of other iQoo smartphones, it is noteworthy that the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G does not include a charger. Instead, a note is included, thanking buyers for their contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Users will need to either use a compatible fast charger that supports 18W charging or purchase one from iQoo separately to charge the 5000mAh battery. Additionally, there are no 3.5mm wired earphones included in the package; however, it does come with a USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable, a clear case, and a SIM ejector tool.

The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G is available in two colors: Stellar Green (shown above) and Mystic Black

Our review unit of the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G is in the Stellar Green color. For those who prefer a more understated appearance, the Mystic Night color option is available. Although the Stellar Green variant has a shiny surface, it does not prominently show fingerprints.

The device features a flat frame and measures 8.25mm in thickness. On paper, it may appear somewhat heavy at 194g; however, in practice, it feels lighter. The dual-SIM tray is located on the top edge of the phone, while the bottom edge features the 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB Type-C port, and a single speaker grille. On the right side are the power and volume buttons, with the power button also functioning as a fingerprint scanner, which quickly recognizes fingerprints and unlocks the device.

The Z6 Lite 5G is constructed entirely of plastic, but the gradient color design gives it a more premium feel, leading some friends to mistake it for a high-end device. However, the water-drop notch at the front indicates that it is indeed a budget-friendly model, giving it a slightly outdated appearance, but given the price, it’s not a significant issue.

The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G features an 8-megapixel front camera.

The device boasts a 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with a full-HD+ resolution. The typical traits of LCD technology tend to limit the brightness and color vibrancy of the Z6 Lite 5G. While the display brightness suffices for indoor viewing, adjustments may be necessary for use in bright outdoor conditions.

The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G also offers a 120Hz refresh rate for enhanced scrolling fluidity. Compatible games should benefit from this feature, and I will evaluate it further in the detailed review. iQoo claims that the device will deliver impressive performance compared to others in its category, propelled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC, which is the first of its kind for a smartphone. According to iQoo, users can expect higher AnTuTu benchmark scores in comparison to other devices in this segment. I will verify this claim in the full review along with other performance assessments to check if these impressive metrics translate into real-world benefits.

While the smartphone supports 5G, it is limited to two bands (n77 and n78) in India. The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G incorporates LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, with the option to expand storage by up to 1TB using a microSD card.

The camera module design of the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G resembles other devices in the Z6 lineup.

On the rear, there is a rectangular camera module with two large circular openings for the 50-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The water-drop notch on the front accommodates an 8-megapixel camera for selfies. The camera capabilities will be evaluated in our comprehensive review.

Lastly, regarding the software, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G operates on the Android 12-based Funtouch OS 12 right out of the box. The software includes various third-party applications preinstalled, along with several first-party apps from Vivo. Users have the option to uninstall any unnecessary applications.

The iQoo Z6 Lite 5G is powered by Android 12 with Funtouch OS 12.

Starting at Rs 13,999, the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G competes with the newly released Redmi 11 Prime 5G, Samsung Galaxy M13 5G, Realme 9i 5G, Redmi Note 11, and other smartphones available for under Rs 15,000. We are set to evaluate the device’s performance against its rivals, so stay tuned for our in-depth review of the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G exclusively on Gadgets 360.